Inspiration

By Frank Laney

I came across some poetry that I found inspirational; it spoke to me about what we do:

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and sprout,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
 so is my word that I speak from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills before you will burst into song ,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the cypress,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for you a memorial,
an everlasting sign, that endures forever. (Isaiah 55:10-13)

While I am sure the original author had other things in mind, I was reminded of what we do as mediators. We use our words, the only tools that we have, to go out in happiness and courage to bring peace to those around us.  This promises us that our words are not in vain, that before we leave, they will bring joy and peace to those who hear us. And the joy we spread will be remembered long after we are gone from the situation.

Not every case settles. There has been a long-running debate in the mediation program administration field as to whether to count cases settled after mediation but before trial as a credit to mediation. I have always believed that even if the case does not settle in mediation, the opportunity to speak deeply with the combatants about the risks and rewards of their situation often leads to resolution after I am gone. It has been so in my practice.

Whether we are mediators or teachers of the next generation of mediators, we spread our message of peace and reconciliation with confidence that even if we cannot settle every dispute, we have made changes in people’s lives and had an effect upon the world around us.